I just wanted to explain a little bit about the cancer that is invading my body. When I was diagnosed over 6 years ago, I was put on a chemotherapy drug, the one I am currently on. When I was put on this drug, I was told, that long term use of this type of chemotherapy, could possibly have a negative effect on my organs. For six years I did not have any symptoms to suggest that my organs were having a problem, until now. I had put what I was originally told about this drug, in the way back of my mind, since up until now, things have been "ok". This current type of chemotherapy has run it's course and is no longer effective in treating my cancer. Sometimes I wish I could just have the "regular" chemotherapy by I.V. drip and some radiation. But, because the cancer is in my blood, and blood runs through out the body, I can not have radiation, and I.V. therapy would not work. The next option for me will be a chemotherapy drug that I was on, for a month, called Interferon. Everyone's body produces Interferon, but the amount I will be taking is more than what the body makes. The entire month that I was on Interferon, I was SO sick. It's like when you get the really bad flu, and you have chills, and body aches, nausea etc. In order to go on Interferon this time, my hematologist feels it would be in my best interest to be hospitalized for a month, while they wean me off of my current chemo, and start me on Interferon. She said it will be easier to deal with the side effects of the Interferon, if I am able to get the anti nausea drugs and morphine while in the hospital. My hematologist works out of St. Pauls hospital in Vancouver, so I would be in St. Pauls for a month. Obviously this is not the most ideal situation, as Pete, and my family and friends would have to drive an hour to see me, and being away from my husband for a month is REALLY going to bite the big one. But, having said that, I am REALLY confident with my hematologist, and she hasn't steered me wrong as of yet. I feel really safe in her care, and being in the hospital will only be a month, while I adjust to the new chemo. I have BIG plans for this summer, so we agreed to start the Interferon in Sept./Oct. I'm going to beat this cancer, and I'll do whatever it takes. I'm one of the most stubborn people you'll EVER meet, and when I put my mind to something, I don't back down, EVER! LOL! I'm not dreading the one month hospital stay, I'm going to look at it as a "vacation" of sorts...LOL! Hey, being waited on hand and foot, with the push of a button? Sounds like a holiday to me! LOL! So, this is "the plan" for now. God might have other plans, you know, like to heal me completely, so you know, I'm open to anything :)

Today.......

Today I was VERY blessed! My neighbor, and VERY good friend, Cindy, loaned me this "wedding dress" that I will be wearing to the summer reception. It looks better in person. The picture does not do it justice. I will be having a sash just below my chest, about my waistline, so it does not look like I have no waist.

The back has a train...really, the pictures DO NOT do it justice :)
These are pictures of Pete's office! Pete has such a great eye for detail, and has really great taste :) The shelf he picked up at MCC as well as the water feature in the corner!

It's SO awesome that he has his own office! He even has his own office line/extension! I'm SO proud of him!! I've already lost count of how many cars he's sold...he sold ANOTHER one today!

Look Good Feel Great '08

Every year, the weekend after the May long weekend, my mom and I look forward to, and attend, Look Good Feel Great, put on by Shopper's Drug Mart and Canadian Cancer Society. Sunday was the day!

This was the yummy cake!

This little sweetie, performed at the event! She was adorable!

I ran into an elementary school friend, Kara (nee Wiebe). Her mom is undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

I won these two awesome prizes full of perfume, cosmetics, and a Boston Bruins tshirt

This was just one of the many booths, this one was wigs and hair pieces

Date Day

Once a month, we try to do a whole date e day. Last Thursday, was our date day..... A trip on the Albion Ferry in the afternoon, then dinner at A&W, then to Fort Langley for dessert, then to the drive in movies in Langley, for the new Indiana Jones, movie :)

This was my dessert...mmmm..brownie

Albion Ferry trip
Dinner!

Today, my parents drove me into Vancouver, to see my cancer doctor. Pete had to work, so, off the three of us, along with their dog Roxy, into Vancouver. Dr. Leger is a bit perplexed with this new stage of my cancer, and feels that "something not so great, is going on in my body." She said that most patients in this stage have constant pain, not sporadic pain, like I am having. She is sending me for a bunch of tests, to check my liver enzymes, blood sugar, etc. In the meantime, she has given me a prescription for morphine, to help with the pain. We'll know more, after we get the test results back. I feel VERY confident under Dr. Leger's care.

My brother in law Dave, was in town for the long weekend, to attend a wedding, so he and his roomie, stayed with Pete and I. We had SUCH a great visit. On Sunday, Pete's sister, Marlene, had us over for dinner. Here's Dave and Marlene.......

and Marlene and Pete....
Marlene made us an amazing dinner! Thanks Marlene! She even had this amazing strawberry/rhubarb pie for us!

Yesterday, Marlene, my niece Shelby, Dave, Pete, his roomie Kurt and I, all met at the Automall Timmy's for brunch, so we could all visit again. This is my niece Shelby, she is SUCH a sweetheart!

I love my sister in law Marlene! We get along so well, and she is such an amazing woman!

Did I mention she's beautiful as well :)

White Rock Birthdays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today, Pete, my parents and I all went to White Rock, to celebrate mine, and my mom's birthdays.. a little late :) I was just a tad hyper on the way to White Rock, as Pete and I drove and did car karaoke...LOL!

It was a gorgeous day!
My mom and I were SO happy to be at the ocean!

It was soooo beautiful..so peaceful....

Dad was a bit chilly :) Love the socks and sandals???? LOL!

Mom ENJOYED herself SO much...frolicking in the ocean........

I sure do LOVE THIS GUY!!!!!!!!!!

No visit to White Rock is complete without the TRAIN.... OR

Fish and Chips!!!!!!!!